Sunday, 26 January 2014

With
NINE hot off the press (and don’t forget, it’s still available to buy) it is time
to start thinking ahead about the next issue.

I
know you have all probably seen this shot of Julian Dicks helping promote Issue One a few times, but this
time really means something. PUSH 10, out in late March, will mark the first
anniversary of this small mag.

One
year, ten issues.

I
am obviously very happy with this being a matter of fact and I want PUSH 10 to
party large (seriously get in everyone’s faces) while at the same time not
failing for one second to acknowledge that no matter how big or small, we are
all fragile creatures on a road that ends with our permanent exclusion from existence.

That’s
why for the first time this issue is twin-themed.

Celebration/Grieving.

It
is that simple.

To
split up the narrative for a moment, here’s a photo by Paul Talling of a
derelict pub. The Tidal Basin Tavern, Royal Victoria Dock, E16.

Welcome back. Right, here's an important announcement. There’s something different this time about submissions that you
need to know about. There is now a guideline. Previously, if you sent something
in and I liked, I told you it was in, instantly. Problem now is, I do get quite
of lot of submissions. And I am not moaning about this. It is, obviously,
brilliant. But does mean that I will have to wait until the mag is in some kind
of final place before I can confirm who and what is in. I know this is a pain.
But it’s what real mags do, apparently. And no one has a go at them. One final
point to labour. Please try and read a copy of PUSH before submitting so you
know what the form is. This kindly advice benefits us both.

Already
confirmed in PUSH 10 is an exclusive interview with a Booker Prize winner. Plus
there’s one or two other big names in the frame.

For
sure, NINE will take some beating. Grant Fleming (fella in photo below), Dan Fante,
Adelle Stripe etc made it a classic issue. But 10 knows what it has to do.

Submissions
of short fiction, poetry, reviews and interviews to pushmag@email.com

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Into
a New Year and PUSH at the printers this week, first time since end of November.
The first 6 came out like clockwork, monthly. Were compiled and sold on a rush
of adrenalin and spiritual joy; something I had never done before or planned to
do and clearly liked doing. ‘Hold back now and then,’ many said. But I have
always loved the buzz of not thinking too much and just doing. It can get you
into trouble of course but such a tunnel vision mindset can also turn into
something positive. Then
along came the interviews. By the very nature of arranging and undertaking
interviews, you have to allow space and time. Out once a month every month is
part of the past. It’s called progress.

PUSH
NINE is another bumper issue (this one a doorstop 60 pages). There are 3
debutants. We have the best poet around today in this issue. Bar none. Big
words. True words. Adelle Stripe is on board. But this does not diminish the
ability of others wearing the PUSH colours for the first time; Dickson Telfer
and J.E.B make their mark and will quite rightly get applause as they leave the
pitch.

Dickson’s
submission is great and had me considering this. You see, he is from Falkirk and that means he represents yet another Scottish
voice to have made a mark in these pages. I am very happy by all this – the
interest from Scotland;
not just in submissions but in purchases too. Abi Cornwall, Allan Wilson, Clare
Archibald, Steve Mcgillivray, Danny McCahon, Andy Wishart, Jenni Fagan and
Kevin Williamson have all featured. What mag based in the deepest South of
England has ever had such interest and support before from those above on the
map? Timely
and symbolic then that I use Irvine’s
tweeted quote for the cover of this issue.

Regular
readers will be assured to know their favourites return and continue to deliver
once again; Michael Keenaghan, Allan Wilson, Joseph Ridgwell, Carlton Burns,
Ian Cusack. While the very cool Ford Dagenham makes back to back appearances and once
again we have two interviews for you. In Number 8 Kevin Williamson talked about
Dan Fante and this month we have Dan Fante talking to our very own Gwil James
Thomas while I interview Grant Fleming. Not all of our readers may have heard
of this man (this surprisingly may include some West Ham). Author, political
activist, blagger, film maker, musician, football hooligan, photographer, Grant
has been there and done it and still doing it. And that’s all you are getting
from me here.

On
sale £2 before and after West Ham/Newcastle in the Black Lion and The Vic and
at the gates. Can
also be bought £3 including p&p via paypal (who like to take their greedy cut) at joe.england64@gmail.com

Alternatively
you can mail me a cheque for £2.70 or knock on my door for the £2 street price
+ bonus mug of tea + me talking too much AT YOU for as long as you can take.